A British soldier has died in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said.

The soldier, from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment serving with 40 Commando Royal Marines Battle Group, was killed on Sunday.

He died near PB Waterloo military base in Sangin, Helmand Province. His next of kin have been informed.

He is the 282nd member of the British military to be killed in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001.

Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel James Carr-Smith said: "He was providing protection to his fellow soldiers who were returning from a patrol when tragically he was killed in an explosion.

"He will be greatly missed and his actions will not be forgotten."

The last soldier to be killed in Afghanistan was Fusilier Jonathan Burgess, of 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh who died in the Nad Ali area of Helmand on 7 April.